FSU'S KRISTEN HANZER TABBED CIAA PLAYER OF THE YEARHanzer, Ashford, Coleman Recognized on All-Conference Team

Kristen Hanzer Named CIAA Player of the Year

Feb. 21, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The Fayetteville State women's basketball team had three players selected to the 2013 All-CIAA Women's Basketball Team; as voted by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Kristen Hanzer (Sr., Youngsville, NC) was named the CIAA Player of the Year. She will be joined by Shuanda Ashford (Sr., Fayetteville, NC) and Tierra Coleman (Sr., Cameron, NC) on the All-Conference Team.

Hanzer becomes the first Lady Bronco since Concetha Smith in 1983 to be named the women's basketball CIAA Player of the Year. She has made a significant impact in her first season with the Lady Broncos. The 5-10 guard is tied for first in the league in scoring with 18.8 points per game and ranks 13th nationally in scoring offense. Hanzer also averages 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. She has scored in double figures in all but one game and tallied a career-high 35 points at Catawba. Hanzer recorded three double-doubles this season highlighted by a career-best 13 rebounds against Bowie State. She has been named CIAA Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week four times each.

Shuanda Ashford has made an impact similar to Hanzer this season at the post position. The Fayetteville native is second on the team in scoring (14.8) and rebounds (7.0). She ranks third in the league in field-goal percentage (54.7 percent) and fourth in scoring. Ashford has recorded four double-doubles this season and has scored in double figures 18 times. Her best offensive performance of the season came against Saint Augustine's; in which she totaled 24 points and 12 rebounds. She has been named CIAA Newcomer of the Week three times.

Tierra Coleman's presence has been felt on the defensive side of the ball this season for FSU. The 6-1 forward leads the team in rebounds per game with 7.7 while averaging 6.6 points per contest. She is fifth in the conference in rebounds per game and fourth in total rebounds with 190. Coleman has started in 19 of the 24 games and leads the team in total blocks with 22. She collected ten or more rebounds in six games including 14 in a victory over Virginia-Lynchburg. Coleman has scored a season-high 14 points twice against Nova Southeastern and Winston-Salem State.

Virginia State's Lamesha Deal was recognized as the CIAA Defensive Player of the Year. The All-Conference honorees will be formally recognized at the Men's and Women's Tip-Off Awards Luncheon on Monday, February 25 at the Charlotte Convention Center.